PETERSFIELD detectives continued their hunt this week for the armed robber who made off with £5,000 from the Portman Building Society in the High Street.

Police believe they have every chance of catching the man who was caught on CCTV cameras in the building society last Wednesday.

A man in his early to mid 20s threatened staff with a silver-coloured handgun last week when he stepped into the Portman at about 4-15 pm.

Detective sergeant Mark Bramah said: "This man was wearing very distinctive clothing and we believe the combination of this, the CCTV footage, which is very clear, and the CD-fit will prove very recognisable."

Detective sergeant Simon Casey told The Herald that police are looking to the public for help in finding the man and said the incident would have been a "terrifying experience" for staff in the building society.

"We have had a reasonable response from the public so far. We have not been inundated with calls but we have been given some leads to follow.

"We are still seeking witnesses, we have done most of our house-to-house calls and we have spoken to lots of the people who either live or work in the area."

He added: "It was a shocking experience for staff at the Portman. You can never tell when a gun is pulled whether it is an imitation or not.

"About 99 per cent of people will think that it is a real gun and not take any chances. It is a very frightening experience.

"Hampshire Constabulary always take armed robberies very seriously and our record of solving them is good. We would have to be confident of getting to the bottom of this one."

Police describe the man as white, aged between 20 and 25, with a long, slim, pale face and a distinctive long, pointed nose.

He was clean shaven and had dirty short blond hair which stuck out from underneath a balaclava which he had pulled down over his face.

He was also wearing dark-coloured trousers and a distinctive navy-blue sweatshirt which had the word 'Mizuno' on it with 'World of Sport' written underneath another logo.

The man has also been spotted on the video footage wearing navy-blue, deck-style shoes which had a thick white stripe running along the soles.

Officers are also keen to trace a man who was seen pacing up and down on the other side of the road from the building society at the time of the robbery.

This man was seen talking into a mobile phone, which he held in his right hand, from about 3-45 pm.

He is described as white, about 5ft 8in, in his mid 30s, with a slightly stocky build and with dirty short blond hair. He was wearing a dark blue fleece and dark-coloured trousers.

Anyone who can help or recognises the identity of either man should contact Petersfield CID on 0845 0454545 or ring the Crimestoppers number on 0800 555111.